Red light cameras haven't cut crashes -- did collect revenue

When cameras were installed at five county intersections in 2000, police claimed the devices would deter red-light running and reduce accidents.

Almost six years later, the county has issued almost 38,000 tickets, collected $2.85 million in fines and let out a new contract to keep the cameras running, but officials can't prove any public safety benefits.

"We can't know the number of accidents that haven't occurred," said Lt. David Waltemeyer, county police spokesman.

New cameras started issuing tickets yesterday for the first time since last July, when the original contract expired.

An analysis by The Capital...